Meet our talented staff members
Candace VOA: I have known since I was 8yrs old that I wanted to work in a vet clinic. I grew up with many animals throughout my childhood such as hamsters, cats, dogs, birds and rabbits. I graduated from West Coast College of Health Care in 2005 and I have been working in a vet clinic ever since. I am married and have 3 young daughters. I also share my home with 2 cats, a hamster, a crested gecko and 3 snakes.
Candace has achieved Fear Free Level 1. |
Emma RVT
Emma graduated from the Animal Health Technician Program at Thompson Rivers University in 2017 and joined the Coastal Rivers team shortly after. She has a special interest in exotic animals and is a lover of Chocolate Labradors! After a year of living on Vancouver Island Emma recently returned to Coastal Rivers and is so happy to be back! In her free time she loves reading, watching movies and spending time with friends and family. Her chocolate lab puppy Alioth can always be found by Emma's side, probably chewing on something she shouldn't be. Emma has achieved Fear Free Level 3. |
 Toys!
Brooklyn VOA: I attended UFV and graduated from the Veterinary Office Assistant program in 2021. Upon graduation, I worked at the Animal Emergency Clinic of the Fraser Valley where I learned many valuable skills. I wanted a change in pace and to work in general practice and knew that I wanted to work in a AHAA & Fear Free clinic so I came to Coastal Rivers. I have a chihuahua named Mia, and a Rottweiler named Taz. When I am not at work, I enjoy cuddling up with my dogs, spending time with friends and family and going to the gym.
Brooklyn has achieved Fear Free Level 2 |
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Jessie RVT: We need your info! We know that you like horses, dogs, hoodies... and working in surgery :)
If you know Jessie, please prompt her to send in a picture and her bio! Ok, I'm changing it up. Jessie loves German Reggae. And she cannot lie. |
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FRAN: I began working in veterinary medicine in 2005 along with continuing my career as A Medical Laboratory Technologist. Upon retiring, I enjoy being “Friday Fran” at Coastal Rivers helping with inventory deliveries and general cleaning/organizing tasks as assigned.
My love for animals great and small began as a child. My passion to care for special needs cats has given our family many joys and challenges. Married for 40+ years, I currently share my home with my husband, two “Tabby Kings” named Sam and Gordy and our newest addition BowTie(Beau) - an 11 month old kitten who brightens our lives each and everyday. I am a firm believer in embracing the wisdom animals bring to us as we journey through life. Fran has achieved Fear Free Level 1. |
Megan W:
Megan love animals, and helping people: this we hold to be true. Megan WILL submit a photo and a bio soon. Fear Free? We certainly hope so! |
Jenna RVT: Ask anyone who knows me, and the first trait they'll give me is "animal lover". They may follow it up with goofy and a little strange, but hey, as long as my love for living creatures outshines the fact I can be a little odd, I'll take it. I graduated from Douglas College as an RVT in 2016, and have worked my way through specialty and emergency veterinary medicine before settling nicely into the busy practice of Coastal Rivers. I'm passionate about patient care and enjoy reading through research and literature about the advances of veterinary medicine. On my days off, I am still surrounded by my own hoard of animals - a dog, a cat, and a toddler
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Kimberley VOA: For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to work with animals. I was accepted into the Veterinary Office Assistant program at Granville collage right out of high school and graduated in 2014. I worked at a few smaller clinics for the first year, then worked at Canada West Veterinary Specialist for 3 years in the ICU and surgery. Since starting at Coastal Rivers in 2018 I have been able to expand my knowledge on animals from dogs and cats to reptiles and birds. I am currently working towards the Veterinary Technician Program. You can find me in the outdoors or hanging out with my animals.
Kim has achieved Fear Free Level 3. |
Kristina VOA: I've loved animals for as long as I can remember and have always wanted to work at a vet clinic. I graduated from UFV's Veterinary Assistant program in 2018 and came straight to Coastal Rivers due to my interest in exotic pets and wildlife. Currently I have 1 dog named Calypso, 2 cats named Elsa and Ullr, a Leopard gecko named Pixel, and a betta fish named Thanatos. When I'm not working I spend my time playing video games and doing archery.
Kristina has achieved Fear Free Level 3. |
Lisa M :
Lisa is a wife, and mother of two wonderful grown children. She also has three awesome dachshunds. Lisa grew up on a farm north of Edmonton surrounded by animals, specifically cat’s dogs and horses. During high school and university she started working part time as a veterinary assistant at Abbotsford Veterinary Hospital and has continued working in the veterinary industry for the better part of the past 30 years. Lisa also worked at the Greater Vancouver Zoo as a zoo keeper in charge of all larger carnivores. Lisa also obtained her baccalaureate degree in Nursing and worked for many years for as a registered nurse in Public health. She became interested and fell in love with pure bred dachshunds in 2009 when she got her first purebred dog. Lisa‘s passions include spending quality time with her family and dogs, camping and fishing. Her favourite hobby is working with her dogs and competing in conformation shows, obedience trials, barn hunt and scent work trials. Lisa has completed Fear Free Level 1. |
Lisa VOA: For as long as I can remember, my family has always had a pet in our home. From dogs, gerbils, hamsters, cockatiel to a horse. My passion for animals I feel came from my dad who watched wildlife shows with us as kids and told us stories of the animals he cared for when he was young. I am the youngest of 4 girls of which two of us work in the veterinary field.
For 12 years I worked in a specialty hospital for dogs and cats, since working here I have been given the opportunity to work with birds, geckos, chinchillas, rabbits...the list is still growing. I am married and have two girls who share my passion for animals. Lisa has achieved Fear Free Level 2. |
Nicole VOA
This is the palce where Nicole's bio will appear! Nicole loves being a hockey goalie, hiking with her beasts, and studying. If any of this isn't true, we hope that she will correct us. Coming soon, a candid photo! Has she completed any of her Fear Free yet? |
Michelle VOA: Though my love of animals has been evident since I was young, it wasn’t until well after high school that I decided to finally pursue a career in the veterinary field. In 2017 I graduated from the Granville College Veterinary Technician Assistant program with honors. I was hired right out of my practicum and really fell in love with my role in the veterinary clinic. After moving from Surrey to Abbotsford, I found Coastal Rivers. Needless to say, I love it here! When I'm not at work I enjoy camping, reading and spending time with my husband, our daughters and our dog Archer
Michelle has achieved Fear Free Level 3 and is a Royal Canin Nutritional Advisor Level 2 |
Natalie H VOA, Office Manager: Growing up on a hobby farm in Abbotsford with cattle, horses, chickens, dogs, and cats, I have had a passion for all types of animals since I was born. I graduated from West Coast College in 2006, finished my practicum at Whatcom Road Veterinary and stayed on a am employee until merger into Coastal Rivers Pet Hospital in late 2015. My husband and I live on a farm with our dog Margie, and our 2 beautiful geldings, Jack and Howard. When I am not in the clinic I enjoy horseback riding and showing, quadding, cooking, spending time with my family, and volunteering as a board member for the Lower Mainland Quarter Horse Association.
Natalie has achieved Fear Free Level 1 |
Natalie R RVT:
My love for veterinary medicine began at a very young age. I knew the challenges it would involve so first I completed a veterinary assistant program. Once I was in the clinic I knew that was my passion so I left for the Animal Health Technology program and graduated in 2016. I am passionate when it comes to patient nursing care. I strive to make sure that each pet is treated how I would want my own to be treated and cared for. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outside with my Malinois, going to the gym, concerts and travelling. Natalie has achieved Fear Free Elite Level |
Alyssa VOA: A love for animals both wild and domestic has been my greatest inspiration on my pursuit of a career as a veterinary assistant. I graduated from Sprott Shaw College in 2020 and am excited to begin this new adventure into the world of veterinary medicine. I find the most joy in moments spent in nature, whether that be hiking, paddle-boarding or simply watching the sun set. Travelling is also high on the list of things I'm passionate about. I am eager to pair this curiosity in other countries and cultures with my interest in animal nursing, with my greatest aspiration being continuing my education in this field and attending an Animal Health Technology Program. Wherever life takes me, I can say with all certainty that I am both happy and grateful to be a member of the Coastal Rivers team, where I have both the opportunity to experience enriching interactions with animals and the chance to learn something new and exciting everyday! Alyssa has achieved Fear Free Level 1 |
Sarah VOA: Ever since I was 12 years old I have wanted to work in the Veterinary industry. I have always had a deep love for animals. I graduated from Sprott Shaw College in 2021. I grew up in Maple Ridge but moved to Abbotsford not long before starting my career at Coastal Rivers. At home I have two wonderful dogs, Maya (Australian Cattle Dog X) and Milo (Jack Russel/Rat Terrier) as well as two cats, Charlie and Paisley. In my spare time I enjoy fostering kittens for the SPCA.
Sarah has achieved Fear Free Level 1 |
Susan BSc BEd RVT CCRP: Why veterinary medicine? It allows me to indulge two of my favorite things: a love for animals, and a love of teaching. My first career was as a high school science teacher, but through a quirky series of events and job adventures, I found myself working in a veterinary hospital as a trained "off the street" employee. Wanting to know more, I found out about the process of becoming a certified technician. After two years of study at Thompson Rivers University, I graduated at the top of my class in 1998 and was excited to start working as a technician.
I love all the aspects of my job, and having a chance to work with a skilled and cooperative team is a blessing. In 2018 I completed my Certificate in Canine Rehabilitation through the University of Tennessee, and look forward to helping our patients in a whole new way, including exercise on our state of the art underwater treadmill, cold LASER therapy and more. Outside of work I enjoy hiking, photography, herding sheep with my lovely dogs, trying to learn to paint "artistically", eating good food and travelling (please, one day let me travel again!). Susan has achieved Fear Free Elite Status |
Valerie: I have worked in the veterinary field for over 12 years. I took a break from working after 10 years to raise my two young daughters. I returned to veterinary medicine when I joined Whatcom Road Vet Hospital in 2012, and then came to Coastal Rivers. I live on an acreage in Langley that I share with my husband, 2 daughters, my Newfoundland dogs (Bristol and Charlotte), border collie Luna, two cats (Whiskers and Katana), and a rabbit. I enjoy hiking, skiing, fishing, camping and of course shopping. I have always loved animals and I have spent time volunteering and working with many different species.
Val has achieved Fear Free Level 3. |
